28 November 2018
Massimiliano Allegri was understandably pleased by his team’s 1-0 win over Valencia on Tuesday, a result that guarantees their place in the next round of Europe’s premier competition. Speaking after the match, the coach underlined the quality of the visiting side. “Valencia showed how good they are and the excellent form they’re in. It’s no accident that they’ve got the best defence in La Liga and tonight it was tough to get the win,” he said. “They make you work for your openings and cover the pitch well – they’re a bit like Atletico Madrid in some ways, but perhaps more technical and less physical. They’re not easy to play against – when they win the ball back, they don’t pour forward but keep themselves covered.” Given the nature of Tuesday’s opponents, a display of “patience and intelligence” was needed, according to the coach, and that’s what his team duly delivered. “In the first half we didn’t finish off many moves; we failed to get the space we needed and were too often hurried. Then we were more aggressive and deserved to win,” Allegri added. “We played well though we could have done better. Some chances we should have stuck away. We gave the ball away a few times between the lines and conceded one dangerous free kick. However, this team is constantly improving – they’re passing and putting play together more quickly.”
